Tag: transport

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13 impressive Festive wedding ideas to try

Your wedding should be just as festive as any big celebration you’ve participated in, till date. So, don’t hesitate to add a little sparkle and shine to your wedding day, and give it the vibrant and festive touch it deserves. Whether you have your wedding at home, at a cool, exotic destination far away from home, or during the holiday season, here are some fantastic festive wedding ideas for you to incorporate into your lifetime celebration.

Delicious cake tastefully decorated with sparkle and shine

LilyGarden cake

At most weddings, the wedding cake is the star dessert at the reception. So, it has to look as good as it tastes. An impressive cake is an instant attraction. So, make no mistake in choosing one that is beautiful and has great style. A quick visit to our cake gallery at Best for Bride will draw your attention to the hundreds of artistically created designs, that are perfect for conjuring up festivity and fun at your reception. From the wide selection we feature, we have chosen to show you this cake today, for the elegant and interesting elements it features. A serious-looking green tiered cake, with diamond embossed sides and lovely lily flowers along the length on all sides, this lily garden cake is an arresting design that will steal the limelight at your reception. Adding a touch of class is the classic horse and carriage cake topper. Simply perfect for an elegant classic wedding!

Wedding dress that is high on drama

A flounced organza skirt with ruffles that scatter, an attractive sweetheart neckline and embellished bodice with an accented waistline—this is the perfect dress to impress the guests at your wedding with. The dramatic wedding gown from the Mori Lee collection. This 2815 is the perfect example of a dress that is can amaze, because of the memorable impression it creates. The textured tiers add grace to your step, and will softly glide along as you stride down the aisle. The embellished bodice scintillates and shines softly, in contrast to the feathery skirt featured in the dress. A dress that is bound to steal many hearts, this is one that will help you revel in the festive vibe that you envisioned for your big day. Pair it with a scarlet lipstick and a stunning hairstyle, you will be transformed into the most stunning bride everyone’s ever seen.

Bright and brilliant bridesmaids

Dress up your bridesmaids in killer colors, so they shine brighter than all the guests at your wedding. A full-length gown is a must to pack in a punch, and when done in lovely satin, like this Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dress, it will be a dress that is simply stunning. With the Mix ‘n’ Match trend going strong, it will be easy to choose the brightest colors in your color palette, and find a dress that enhances the complexion of each of your bridesmaids. The sweetheart neckline and draped bodice with a dropped skirt design, make this dress a stylish choice that your bridesmaids will love to wear. The gathering of the dropped waist in a scattering of organza flowers, renders extra-feminine charm to the overall design. A design that is youthful, figure-flattering and stylish, this is a dress that will be the perfect representation of the holiday spirit of fun and frolic at your wedding.

Over-size flower crown for your flower girl

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The flower crown is an accessory that instantly makes a statement. And this time, we are looking at ones that are big and bold enough to create an instant impression. If there is one person in your wedding party who will have no qualms in playing dress up with the most over-size accessories, it has to be your flower girl. So, make the most of this opportunity, and dress up your cute little bridal attendant in an over-size flower crown, like you see here. Not only will you make the little girl extremely happy, it will also add the necessary touch of festivity and fun to your wedding scenery. The picture featured here would be perfect for a garden wedding, or any outdoor ceremony. However, you can adapt the same design for any color palette by simply switching out the blooms with ones that match your wedding theme colors. A small job for your florist, but one that will make a statement at your wedding. Don’t you think it’s great?

Bright bouquets

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Flowers have the power to color up any arrangement, and that too magically! So, choose your bouquet and those of your bridesmaids to be lively and vibrant. Add a luxurious dose of the brightest colors, and mix it up with other wispy, whimsical details, so the bouquets look rich, abundant and very attractive. Consider mixing colors like blue and white, or red and white, where the deeper colors are intense and pop against the neutrals, for maximum impact.

Colorful cocktails

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Add an instant pop of color to your wedding menu, with signature cocktails in a range of colors. Keep the assortment trendy, by matching it with the colors of your wedding palette. Colorful beverages, dressed up with cute accessories are inviting, and you will have your guests swooning over the details. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. The simplest of simple glassware receive a fresh update, when it contains colors so vibrant. A sprinkling of colored sugar crystals along the rim, and the addition of striped straws or tiny flags are all it takes to jazz up your cocktail hour with finesse and fun. If you really want to go with it all the way, add in olives or fruit slices, and you have a drink that is really exciting to look at. Featured here are cocktails in the signature green and red Christmas colors, but you can do the same with any color, including blue, purple and gold.

Warmth with a lit-up centerpiece

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Nothing makes a room more cheerful and glowing than candles, and this is one element you should incorporate into your décor. Candles are relatively inexpensive centerpiece accessories, but can quickly be dressed up with flowers, glass, fruits and anything else you can think of. They are versatile, as you will have plenty of choice in color, size, scent and appearances to choose from. Thus, crafting your own unique centerpiece will be easy, when you incorporate candles into the design. Place them in glass bowls and they will look spell-binding, as the glassy effect makes the warmth of the glow more pronounced. By choosing suitable colors for the candle-holders, you can achieve a colored glow that will add a pleasant note to the ambiance. So, bring in some festive cheer to your big celebration, by adding lots and lots of candles. With scented ones, you can also have the air smelling great and this will also linger on in the memories of your guests, when they think of your wedding. Soft scents like lavender, vanilla and lime are really refreshing, and will work for any season and weather.

Fancy table-settings

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In a welcome deviation from the traditional table setting, you can have the table linen arranged in an unusual, but welcoming style. Here is a sample. The pretty dinner napkins do not need napkin rings, but are exquisite for the styling and the pattern they sport. The bold prints on the edges have been showcased beautifully, and focus is shifted to the design immediately. This simple addition to the table, makes it spectacular. So, it is not only cost-effective, but beautiful as well. Match the napkins to the table runner, which in this case is a rectangular table, and you have an easy but glamorous way to make your tables look beautiful.

Sparkling table settings

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If the earlier style is too refined or serious for your taste, consider adding a dose of glamour to your reception tables with subtly scintillating table cloths. Anything with crystal or rhinestone details is immediately festive, and the bling on the table serviettes achieve this effect here. Club it with a deep, dark palette, like the purple used in intense doses here, and you have a vibrant and lively scene. The silver charger plates add to the brilliance of the glittering table covers and overall the setting has a wonderful designer aesthetic. The best thing about all this is that the centerpiece is simple, yet stunning. So, it is a practical arrangement that doesn’t compromise on style. We can also see colors like maroon and dark green replacing the purple with equal capacity.

Abundant textures in food

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Sprinkles, beads, glitter and scattered details add a colorful and energetic note, that makes a setting instantly buoyant. A simple element like a sweet buffet can instantly be uplifted with the choice of a few desserts that contain different textures. So, mix up the smooth with the crinkled, wrinkled and rough, add in bright pops of colors and make sure the arrangement is neat, despite the chaos. Consider items like macaroons, cake pops, cupcakes and mini-dessert cups to fashion the right effect. A few festive décor accessories like embellished platters, photo frames and beverage glasses decorated with ribbons around them are all it takes to dress up this signature reception setting, and it will add a sweet dimension of merriment.

A gourmet touch to the arrangement

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The perfect wedding setting will be a bigger festive treat for the eyes, than for any of the other senses. So, even if you are serving elaborate fare, make sure it looks as impressive as it tastes. Even the simplest dishes can be given a tasteful face-lift, by choosing pretty china and paying attention to the garnish. Here is an example of how even a simple dessert can be rendered special with the simple addition of a powdered heart to its top. Additionally, the arrangement in an individual platter makes it neat and picture-perfect. So, use this idea at your wedding, and add a colorful touch to your tables with simple, but elegant and impressive gourmet touches.

An impressive display

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Anything out of the ordinary, that can light up the sky or the venue, will uplift the spirits of those at your wedding, and add a spell-binding touch to the overall celebration. If you cannot create a firework display, you can still aim for a similar effect by lighting up your venue with a lavish choice of lighting. For an outdoor event, you can also create a similar vibe by using plenty of balloons that rise up and float away, thus forming an impressive display. This doesn’t cost much, but is very impressive. If the function is held indoors, make sure that your venue gets that first impression with an illuminated and well-decorated entry. Dress up the venue to look entirely different from how it is usually done, and you will achieve that unique effect. Consider adding an elaborate vignette that is bound to be noticed, and tie it to the theme, so it blends in seamlessly.

Travel in style

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Your exit from the ceremony and reception play a great role in adding the final touches of drama. So, make your choice of transportation wisely. We think a horse and carriage is a splendid idea, as is a vintage car in a bright, noticeable color. Don’t hesitate to decorate it in full-style, so it stands out and will forever be remembered. Here is a bright, merry red beetle, that is just perfect for a festive wedding. Simple elements like white ribbons add the finishing touches to the already-splendid looking car.

So, tell us if you want your wedding to be festive and fun, or serious and sophisticated? Either way, we have the solution for the perfect wedding dress, accessories, bridesmaids dresses, cakes, favors and everything else you need to get the effect right. Visit the Best for Bride website today, to look for more dramatic wedding gowns and find everything you need to plan your dream wedding day. Check out our online gallery today, and we are sure you will be impressed by all that we have to offer.

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10 Money Saving tips for your wedding

Congratulations! You are engaged! Doesn’t it feel great?

As the realization of this new relationship status sinks in, you might be super-excited to start wedding planning and that’s when the bombshell drops—crazy wedding expenses! Yes, weddings are expensive. Everything from the venue to the photographer and food can have you straining your bank accounts down to the last penny.

Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can cut expenses and make the most of what you can afford. After all, you do not want to start your marriage in debt. So, here are 10 money saving tips that every couple should consider. This will help you cut a few corners and save some money while budgeting your dream wedding.

1.Venue

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Three aspects of the wedding usually fall into one account—food, beverages and venue. Together, these three components will consume almost fifty per cent of your total budget. The easiest way to reduce expenses on venue rates is to book a single venue for both the ceremony and reception. This will not only eliminate the rental charge for an entire site, it will also allow you to save on transportation from one site to the other. Two birds with one stone! If you want to further cut charges, consider hosting the wedding during the off-peak season or on a weekday, when prices will be drastically slashed. An advantage of doing so is also that it will be easier to obtain the venue booking as the competition will be very less on these days. Saturday nights are usually the most expensive option. Get married a day early, or a day late, and you will appreciate how much easier this will be on your pocket. Another intelligent idea we found on Buzzfeed is to host your wedding on a day preceding a public holiday, so everyone gets to have fun late into the night as they are off work the next day, and you still get to save yourself some money.

2.Guest-list

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Three words—Snip! Snip! Snip!

Be ruthless with cutting names off your guest list and your wedding expenses will be reduced drastically. Rather than hosting a huge wedding where you don’t know half the people and have to skimp on the service due to budget constraints, isn’t it better to have a lavish affair with the few people who really matter to you? A direct approach to reducing your wedding guest head count is to omit children and colleagues from the list. Also, not everyone needs to have an invite with a plus-one. Limit the plus-ones to spouses, serious partners and live-ins only. Well, if your parents are paying for the wedding, they may want to invite a few extra people, so handle this as is appropriate in your case.

3.Food and drink

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Skip the traditional formal dinner and opt for a wedding brunch or lunch instead. Perfect for a casual wedding, you could cut costs this way. Now, if you want a sit-down plated meal, choose a three course meal over a five-course meal, and it will still go down well. And you can minimize costs by choosing to have your reception at a hotel, instead of at a rented venue. This way you will not have to bring too many things in like utensils, seating arrangements, table linen etc, as it will all be available at the restaurant. You can always find the right dishes to serve on their menu. Most good restaurants have beautiful chairs and tables, and there is no doubt that they are perfect places to dine at. So, help your budget by taking this route. When you choose a restaurant that looks stylish and matches the theme of your wedding, half your job is taken care of. When serving beverages, stay away from the idea of an open bar. Serve beer and wine instead of liquor and add one cocktail drink to complete the list.

4.Wedding Cake—don’t make it, fake it

faux cake

Well, maybe not the entire cake, but at least the extra tiers! Remember that each tier will add several dollars to the cost and unless you have so many guests at your wedding, why let it all go to waste? Most bakers can create faux wedding cakes which look exactly like the real thing. They usually use Styrofoam layers and cover it with icing and decorations, so it looks like the real deal. So, you can get the look, but for much less cost. There are several other ways to make the most of your cake budget, the details of which we have covered in a previous article dedicated to the subject. Here are some of the ideas in a flash:

  • Use a smaller couture cake for display and sheet cakes in the kitchen for the actual service
  • Limit the expensive flavors to one or two tiers alone, while using standard flavors for the remaining tiers
  • Choose standard shapes like circle and square instead of topsy-turvy and fancy shapes to reduce cake costs
  • Decorate with economical options like real flowers, ribbons and easy DIY toppers
  • Go for butter-cream frosting instead of fondant and cut the price by almost fifty per cent
  • Use half or three-quarter servings in place of full serving sizes to eliminate wastage and cut costs
  • Serve cake alongside other desserts in the buffet, instead of at the table. Then, only those who want it will have it and you can reduce the overall order this way

5.Rent your wedding dress or buy it second-hand

If you are not keen on having a brand new wedding dress, opt for a rented one or seek one out second-hand. Vintage wedding dresses are a happening trend, and you can max out on this now. Second hand wedding dresses can be found for as low as half the original cost, even when there is little to no damage to them. There are websites dedicated to this, and you will find plenty of choices to select from. The other option is to rent your wedding dress from a consignment shop or bridal boutique like Best for Bride. Here, you can mostly find the gown in the style you want to wear for a fraction of the original cost and not worry about what to do with it later. With the option to also rent matching accessories like wedding jewelry, veils and headbands, you can achieve the perfect bridal look without hurting your bank balance. All you have to do is place your order in time, collect you dress on the appointed day and enjoy your wedding in it. Return it after the wedding, and worry no more about what to do with your wedding dress. It couldn’t be easier. The third option is to repurpose your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown with the help of a talented tailor. Not only will this not cost as much as a brand new wedding gown, it will also give your family heirloom new life. Sentimental and sensible, isn’t that smart? Now, your groom could also rent his tux and the two of you could divert the money saved into a well-deserved treat like your honeymoon.

6.Make the most of sample sales and trunk shows

If there is time left for your wedding, you needn’t go wedding gown shopping already. Keep your eyes and ears open for sales and trunk shows and you could pick up a dress at a better bargain. Or, browse through the sale and clearance section of websites like Best for Bride and make your pick from the dresses listed there. If you aren’t too particular about wearing a specific gown on your big day, why not make the most of your wedding budget by choosing the best choice within your means from these listings? The same could apply to your bridesmaids dresses too. Look for any bulk discounts and use it when choosing the dress. They will appreciate your concern, and nobody at your wedding need know that these were picked up at a sale.

7.Try alternate bouquets

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Cut flowers are expensive and not environment-friendly, so spare the pain and still have fabulous wedding bouquets and décor with alternatives to original flowers. Bridal and bridesmaid bouquets using silk flowers and paper flowers are very beautiful and attractive. Similarly, you can vary your décor using fruits, candles and other easy-to-find accessories and still have a fantastic and unique wedding design. You could even consider succulents and potted plants for your wedding décor, and these could be used again either in your new home or gifted to the party guests to take home with them. Now, if you must have flowers, go for the seasonal and local variety and you can save some cash this way too. Ask your florist for what is within your budget and leave her to weave her magic with it. Or, if you are up for the challenge, make your bouquets on the day with what you find at your local grocery store. The price of the flowers you get there will be far less than at a flower shop, and this means you can find more flowers for your budget. Imagination is key, and it is not difficult to create splendid centerpieces, bouquets, aisle decorations and even venue décor using craft supplies from thrift stores, provided you know how to work around them. You can also use the same flowers that were used at the ceremony venue for the reception, and cut down on associated costs. All it takes is a quick move of the pieces from the first location to the second, and I am sure nobody is going to mind it.

8.Go bargain hunting for your wedding favors

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Personalized wedding favors created exclusively for your wedding are stylish and special, but not absolutely essential. The true meaning of wedding favors is to gift your wedding guests a small and sweet memento for their valuable presence at your wedding. This can be anything you deem fit for this purpose. It can be homemade cookies, brownies you had your baker add to your cake package or preserves that you bought on sale.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, it doesn’t have to be in fancy packaging! It just has to be thoughtful and your guests will appreciate the gesture. Our suggestion is not to be too specific with your ideas and there will be hundreds of bargains out there, waiting to be snatched. Visit the sales and discount sections of wedding favor websites, and book a deal that falls within budget. This will give you a good bargain for the money you can spare. You can always customize it with a few craft supplies that can be found on sale, and you will easily have a personalized wedding favor in no time. Consider printing out your own monogram or wedding stationery using free fonts available online, and you can also save on expensive labels and tags for your wedding needs.

9.Hire and buy local

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When choosing a caterer, booking your band or buying flowers think local and it will save you loads. Plus, you will already know what is best in the area and can make a wise and informed decision accordingly. Go with seasonal fare for your menu and the cost of your food will go down. Should your band have to travel from out-of-town for the reception, remember that you will be paying for their effort to travel this far for your function. Go with the local favorite instead, and you are certainly going to get a better bargain. Like we mentioned earlier, flowers that are flown in from elsewhere will cost more. So, think of whether it is actually worth the added cost. Wouldn’t you be able to achieve a similar effect by substituting it with something local? If so, isn’t that better?

10.Choose your transportation wisely

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You do not need a limo, vintage car or even horse and chariot to drive you away from the venue. You can make a grand entrance or get away in any other car dressed up for the event. All you need is to use your creativity to dress up the car with some wedding paraphernalia, add a “Just Married” sign and you are good to go.

Hopefully, you now have enough tips to have a great wedding day without it costing you dearly. For more wedding tips and advice, continue visiting us on Best for Bride—your one-stop destination for everything bridal.

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Cherishing the Elders: Tips to Ensure Your Older Guests Feel Valued and Comfortable at Your Wedding!

mother of the bride

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When planning your wedding, you should ensure all your guests have fun and enjoy every moment. There may not be too many old people attending your wedding, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to set some time aside and make a few special arrangements for them. Here are the small things you can do to ensure they are comfortable.

Look at their stay and transportation.

When an older guest or couple confirms that they will be attending, you should check their accommodation and transportation plans with them. Give clear directions and share the schedule so they can plan their day properly.

You could lend a helping hand with transporting them to and from the venue, so they do not face any hassles getting there. Coordinate with other guests or put a bridal party member in charge of ensuring they are taken to and from the function. If the wedding and reception are at different locations and they have their vehicle, you could ask them to park at the reception venue and take them from there to the wedding venue and back.

Check for disabled access at the venue.

It is a good idea to check ahead for wheelchair access at the venues. Similarly, if there is a staircase or narrow steps to climb, it is sensible to assign someone to assist your older guests to make it inside comfortably. If it is a church wedding, ask that they be seated at the ends of rows so it’s easier for them to settle in and step out. After the ceremony, make sure someone walks them out.

If your guests have to wait outside before they can enter the venue, make sure there are seating arrangements. Otherwise, ask them to arrive at the venue on time so they do not have to be kept standing.

Assign a bridesmaid or groomsman the duty of taking care of them.

Put someone in charge of your elderly guests while they are at your wedding. Ensure that this is someone considerate and sensible and can help them appropriately. Please place them in charge of checking their charges regularly and ensuring everything they want is handled. When a particular person has to handle this responsibility, you know who to turn to should these guests need assistance.

Seat them with company.

Planing the seating arrangements so the older guests keep each other company is a good idea. At the reception, arrange comfortable couches in a warm area where they can relax and chat with each other if they do not want to dance. Have coffee and tea nearby so they can help themselves. Please encourage them to join you on the dance floor by including tunes in your playlist that they are likely to enjoy.

Be punctual and stick to your shared schedule so they do not have to wait around and become uncomfortable. Make sure they go home safely with fond memories of your big day.

You can find more wedding-related tips and advice at Best for Bride.

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Wedding venue checklist: Tips to help you recognize if the site is right for you

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When you look for your wedding venue, it is often difficult to ascertain whether a site is right without seeing it all decked up. To make the right choice, you should have a fair idea of what you want it to do, and how it can be transformed to suit your wedding plan. For many couples, this may be the first time they are hosting any event on this scale, and so it can be very confusing.

To help you do it right, here is a checklist of the various factors the site must have.

Fits your budget

Set aside a realistic amount for the venue charges. If you are getting married in a church or house of worship, you will also have to factor in the donation for using the space.

Look at places where the rent is within your budget. Ask about any other charges or overheads in addition to the rent, so you know whether you can afford it. Also ask if the package includes services like an on-site co-ordinator or staff for serving cake and wine, or whether you will have to pay separately for these services.

Practicality of the venue

The location should be easy to access and your guests shouldn’t have trouble getting there. It would be best if both the ceremony and the reception venues were nearby or in the same location. This will be most comfortable, but if it is not possible, consider arranging transportation between the venues. See if you can have parking at the first venue and make transport arrangements to the reception.

The size is right

Look at the maximum number of people the site can hold. Don’t forget to accommodate for your band, musicians, buffet table and aisle when determining the maximum capacity. Only then will you get a clear picture of whether all your guests will fit comfortably in the space. If it is a small wedding, avoid a big venue. Being mostly empty will reduce the overall impact.

The rates for using it overtime

Venues are either charged by the hour, or for a certain slot of time. Ask about the extra charges you will have to pay if you wish to access the venue for a few extra hours, before or after the ceremony. Also ask for their rates if your wedding party extends late into the night.

Provision for disabled access

Check whether the venue allows for disabled access. It is likely that there will be older guests in your wedding party. The availability of washrooms on the ground floor would be convenient for them. Also, are there any outdoor seating arrangements that your wedding guests can use, if they have to wait before entering the venue?

Don’t forget to consider the practicality of the venue for the wedding look you have in mind. It wouldn’t be fun negotiating your way up and down a staircase, if you have chosen a mermaid-style wedding dress or a heavily layered one. So choose accordingly.

The more boxes you tick off this checklist, the better suited a venue will be for your wedding. For more wedding tips and ideas, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.